Curfew in Shopian after mobs sets DC Office on fire

After clashes escalated, people from every village of South Kashmir’s Shopian district marched towards Pinjoora and the volunteers have set stage for the pro-freedom rally. However, clashes are going on in periphery.

Local sources said that after army, CRPF and police raided the pro-freedom rally venue, the ‘committee’ which was managing the affairs of the scheduled rally set stage in another parallel ground.

“Thousands of people have assembled in Pinjoora and forces are retreating,” they said.

Meanwhile, locals said that after forces blocked at least two roads leading to Pinjoora, angry protestors marched to Mini Secretariat Shopian. “It was set ablaze and the first block which houses the office of Deputy Commissioner is destroyed,” reports said.

They said that fire fighters rushed to the spot but they are unable to douse the flames emanating from the huge structure.

2015 picture of Mini-Secretariat Shopian.

The Mini Secretariat was constructed at a whopping cost of Rs 36 Crore and was inaugurated in 2015.

They said that following raids on Pinjoora rally venue, people came out from their homes in Shopian town and clashes ensued. “One youth was hit by pellets in his abdomen and he was referred to Srinagar,” the locals said.

Earlier, at least 70 civilians were injured in Pinjoora during clashes between forces and protestors.

Seven of the injured civilians have been shifted to Srinagar for advanced treatment. All of them have been hit by pellets. “PHC Pinjoora is managing huge influx of injured civilians,” reports said.

The injured included those who had reached Pinjoora from Pulwama, Islamabad and Kulgam.

Meanwhile, reports said that police announced that curfew has been imposed in main Shopian town. “People have reached Pinjoora which is just 1.5 KM away from town,” reports said.